Decorate with faux plants (Mum's the word from us!)

It’s the four letter word that everyone is afraid to utter. A real “F” bomb. As in faux. Faux plants. You’ve all seen the movie “Groundhog Day”….right? That’s Monday’s here. I get up, make my bed, brush my teeth and get dressed. On a good day I manage to brush my hair too but not always. Then I feed the girls breakfast, pack lunches and get them bundled off for school. After feeding the pets it’s time to get serious about watering the plants. Monday is the designated day for that. With no target in mind, I tend to ignore the problem and plants start dying all over the place. Not acceptable for a garden blogger! After the drudgery is done, I’m tempted to toss their plant butts to the curb and go faux. No need to water ever again and no shedding leaves. Dead-headding. What’s that? And come to think of it, no stress about dead plants. So take a deep breath because I’m going to level with you. Faux plants can be great and are becoming increasingly more convincing. So if you don’t divulge your dirty little plant secret, we won’t either! Promise. Here’s a bit of advice about fake plants and what you should consider now.

1. Always go high-end

Even Dollar Tree sells fake succulents these days. But that doesn’t make it okay. Because they look it. Fake. If you buy cheapie fake plants, everyone is going to be onto your scheme. Since fake plants can’t die it makes sense to invest in ones that have a high-end look to them. They might be displayed in your space for many years to come. Higher-end faux plants will include more detail that make them seem more real and lifelike.

What should you look for? Real stems that bend, making them easier to arrange. Seek out natural colors, matte finishes and multiple blossoms and leaves. Maybe that orange hydrangea is catching your eye but orange hydrangeas don’t exist so those in the know will become suspicious. No black roses. No neon blue flowers. Bummer.

And be sure to check out the leaves. Each flower has its own unique leaf shape. And silly as this sounds, different types of flowers don’t all grow on one stem. Example. Have you ever seen a rose and a daffodil on the same stem? Nope. But that would be awesome.

Dead giveaway that your plant is a total poser? When every petal, flower, leaf and stem looks perfect. Zero flaws. Real plants aren’t like that. They have issues. Just come to my house…you’ll see.

I like Hobby Lobby for silk flowers and places like HomeGoods, Kohl’s and Christmas Tree shops for faux plants in pots.

2.) Change with the seasons

Treat your faux plants just as you would any seasonal decor. You don’t still have that turkey wreath up….right? I’m only asking because I still have a turkey wreath up on my side door. Gasp! In and out with the seasons. When the Christmas lights go down, you feel good about putting up the Valentine’s Day hearts. Isn’t that the truth?

Same rule applies to plants. Usher them in and out with the seasons. Shoot for silk daffodils, tulips and hyacinths in spring, sunflowers and daisies in summer, mums in the fall and poinsettias with a plethora of greenery bunches in winter. This is how to convince the masses. Daffodils in December? I don’t think so. Tulips? Nope. Forsythia stems showcased springtime in a big vase…..now you’re talking!!

And don’t hesitate to snip here and there. Just because your fake stems come in a bunch doesn’t mean you can’t separate them. Use wire cutters instead of your favorite scissors as it will ruin those favorite scissors.

When we drive south, we always bring some Spanish moss back with us!

3.) Repot “plants” but not with dirt

A huge advantage to fake plants is that you don’t need real dirt. I don’t need to remind you that dirt is messy, especially on carpet when it gets spilled and smeared.

Fill those planters with foam and cover with rocks and Spanish moss, real or fake for a fabulous effect! You’ll be turning heads for sure. Pots with a sleek edge and the moss for a topping make the plant seem real and elegant.

4.) Choose wisely

A five foot saguaro cactus plant in Buffalo, New York during the month of January? Chances are slim that anyone will be fooled. Same plant is Tuscan, Arizona? Convincing. Certain types of plants lend themselves to being better imitated than others.

Fake succulents and air plants in particular do an excellent job of passing themselves off as real. Succulents vary tremendously coming in every shape, color and texture imaginable that no one will know “for sure” whether your plants are the real deal or not.

Now is the time and the place for terraniums. As for succulents, I like faux sedum, echeveria, string of pearls and tillandsia. Fake ferns also tickle my fancy, I appreciate how fake ferns unlike my real ferns don’t shed while demanding incessant water, midst and humidity. I’m even considering a fake fig tree but haven’t gone there yet.

And in the winter months consider sticking with green themed topiaries, centerpieces and swags not only for their holiday charm but ability to blend into any decorating style. Too many flowers in the winter months on faux plants leads to lots of suspicious guests!

5.) Put plants in places that get bright sunlight

If I walk into your house or apartment and see plants on your kitchen windowsill, I’m going to assume they are real. No questions asked! None ventured. Same with any pot I see strategically placed by your sunniest widow. You’ll have me convinced. Although I am a bit gullible.

But there’s something to say for strategically placing your faux plants in a sunny spot, just as you would a real, live plant. By placing them in spots where they would likely grow, you’re making us believe they are in fact….real. And why should we doubt it?

6.) Don’t mix real plants with fake plants

Unless you’re creating a special arrangement with a flower that is out of season, it’s best not to mix and match live and fake plants. It puts the whole piece into wild speculations. You don’t want the faux flowers and plants to be the ones standing out. They need to be displayed on their own. Tacky!

7.) Dust them here and there to keep it real

Fake plants will collect dust. Even my real plants can get dusty. It’s up to you. Feather duster, damp cloth or even a hair dryer works wonders. The last thing you want to do is display dusty fake plants. For the record, I also dust my real plants! Our wood burning stove leaves a layer of dust on everything in our home including plants. Dust is a must!

Can you believe all these succulents are fake? Who knew?

8.) Spiff up your walls with a faux green wall

I’m a huge fan of vertical gardening and wall planters in general. They take up less space and look fantastic adding dimension and excitement to your space. The colors and textures on the wall can ignite conversation.

The only drawback to a wall planter containing live plants is that you may not be able to strategically place it in a spot that receives plenty of real sunlight. And even if you do, where I live, grow lamps are still a must-have. We just don’t get enough bright light during the winter months. But since fake plants put up no such fuss, you are in luck.

Decorate with faux plants (Mum’s the word from us!)

1. Always go high-end

2.) Change with the seasons

3.) Repot “plants” but not with dirt

4.) Choose wisely

5.) Put plants in places that get bright sunlight

6.) Don’t mix real plants with fake plants

7.) Dust them here and there to keep it real

8.) Spiff up your walls with a faux green wall

Do you boast any fake plants in your dwelling?

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1. Always go high-end

2.) Change with the seasons

3.) Repot “plants” but not with dirt

4.) Choose wisely

5.) Put plants in places that get bright sunlight

6.) Don’t mix real plants with fake plants

7.) Dust them here and there to keep it real

8.) Spiff up your walls with a faux green wall

Do you boast any fake plants in your dwelling?

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